Play Time!: Toddler Lap Time, 7/5/13

 Play Time!: Toddler Lap Time, 7/5/13

One child was signed up for this session, and he did not show, but four others did, so it was a success! Two were regulars, and one regular came with friends. The kids were engaged, attentive, and energetic, and I could tell that they have really been learning our songs from week to week. The books were both perfect in terms of length and interest level, and the flannel boards were both very well-received.

Book: We Play by Phyllis Hoffman

Flannel Board: Play With Me!
This went over much better this afternoon than this morning, and I didn't even really do anything differently. I think it helped that this was a smaller group, and that the adults are all story time veterans. Some of the moms this morning clearly didn't know what to expect and seemed puzzled!

Book: Let's Play! by Leo Lionni

Flannel Board Song: Three Kites Up in the Sky
This one went over so well, we did it twice. 

Rhyme: Two Little Teddy Bears

Songs with Shaker Eggs:
One regular nanny told me that she was glad to see the shakers back - I hadn't realized how long it had been since we'd last had them out!

• Shake My Sillies Out 
• ABCs
• Can You Shake Your Egg With Me?

Rhyme: Wiggle Fingers
 
Song with Puppet: Mr. Sun 

Song: I'm a Little Teapot

Song: Hands Up High 


I use the same hello and goodbye songs at almost every session. Click here for the tunes and words. For descriptions of each of my story times, click here.

Play Time!: Drop-In Story Time, 7/5/13

 Play Time!: Drop-In Story Time, 7/5/13 

I was really looking forward to this theme, but after three days off, and with such a small group this morning, I felt really shaky about the story time itself. I think I performed the same as I always do, and the kids were more engaged than normal because there weren't as many climbing all over  each other trying to see, but the parents came instead of the nannies and they did not participate, or seem that impressed with me. It was just a weird feeling. But the kids seemed to have fun, and lots of them came up to see me afterward!

Book: Mahjong All Day Long by Ginnie Lo
This is not a book I would have read to a huge group, but since there were only about 45 kids in the room, I gave it a try. The kids seemed puzzled by the book, but also curious.

Flannel Board: Play With Me!
This flannel board was based on a poem I found in Highlights High Five magazine. The kids got really into naming the animals, but everyone seemed confused by my delivery of the ending. I'll have to think some more about how to improve it.

Book: This is Baseball by Margaret Blackstone
This book was too basic and I could have read something longer.

Song: Baseball Player 
The kids loved this one, as always!

Book: Everyone Can Learn to Ride a Bicycle by Chris Raschka
I like this book and I thought it was a good one for some of the bigger kids who might be learning to ride two-wheelers. It got a lukewarm response, but this was also just a lukewarm group.

Magic Envelope: Sandcastle
I'm starting to run out of magic envelope ideas, but this was a good one suggested by Kathryn in the Flannel Friday Facebook group. The kids helped me by calling out the names of everything, and this portion of story time got the most applause.

Song with Puppet: Mr. Sun 

Songs with ukulele: ABCs / Twinkle Twinkle Little Star / Baa Baa Black Sheep 

Song: Itsy Bitsy Spider

Rhyme: Five Little Monkeys
I was losing my singing voice by this point, so we chanted about the monkeys. They didn't like it as much as when we sing it.

Rhyme: Wiggle Fingers

As hectic as it is, I'll be glad to see the big crowds again next week. I feel weird when the groups are small and silent. 

I use the same hello and goodbye songs at almost every session. Click here for the tunes and words. For descriptions of each of my story times, click here.